Let's Build the Latvian Legion

[VJK]

Hi!
Welcome to the Forum.

This is what I have for your great great uncle:

Alfons SKRAUJA
Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS
born: 4 Dec 1899 in Laudona parish
died: 24 Feb 1944

Latvian Army service:
8 Apr 1921 - 1 Jun 1922: Commanding Officer, Machine-gun platoon, III Squadron, Cavalry Regiment
1 Jun 1922 - 16 Apr 1927: Cavalry Regiment adjutant
16 Apr 1927 - 8 Nov 1930: Commanding Officer, IV Squadron, Cavalry Regiment
8 Nov 1930 - 23 Mar 1935: Squadron Commander, Kurzeme division
23 Mar 1935 - 8 Aug 1935: Commandant of Liepaja
8 Aug 1935 - 25 Oct 1940: . Commanding Officer, II Squadron, Cavalry Regiment
25 Oct 1940: transferred to the XX Cavalry Regiment as Squadron commander, XXIV Territorial Rifle Corps (Red Army)

Promotions:
20 May 1920: Lieutenant (seniority 1 Dec 1919)
17 Nov 1924: 1st Lieutenant (seniority 1 Dec 1922)
21 Jun 1926: Captain (seniority 21 Mar 1926)
1944: Sturmbannführer der Waffen-SS

WWII service:
21 Dec 41 – 21 Jul 42: Commander Lett.Schuma.Btl.17
14 Aug 1942 - 9 Feb 1943: Commander Lett.Schuma.Btl. 266-E
9 Feb 1943 - 18 Apr 1943: Commander Lett.Schuma.Btl. 24
18 Apr 1943 - 24 Feb 1944: Commander I Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 40 (lett.Nr.2)

Latvian Awards:
Latvian War of Independence Commemoration Medal: 1924
Order of the Three Stars, V Class # 196: 28 Apr 1927
Latvian War of Independence 10 Year Commemoration Medal: 28 Nov 1928
Order of Viesturs, IV Class with Swords # 169: 27 Jun 1939

Other Awards:
Knights Cross of the Swedish Order of the Sword, I Class: 30 Jun 1931
EK I: 9 Feb 1944
EK II: 29 Sep 1943

Notes:
Born Alfons Fridrichsons, changed his surname to Skrauja on 28 June 1940. Killed in action whilst Commander I Battalion, Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 40 (lett.Nr.2).

Best regards,

VJK

[historygeek40]

Oh wow!!
Thank yo so much! xxx
I really appreciate all your help
I think I have just cross contacted you by private message apologies x

Kimberley xx

[e.polis]

VJK...... I was wondering if you had any war time service information on my father, Ernests Polis, he served in 15th WSS Div, born in Latvia 18 Oct 1922, he was in 15th Pioneer Btn and a qualified farrier, reached a senior NCO rank, surrendered to Allies at Haganow Germany in May 1945, came to Australia 1949 and died in 1993.

Any help greatly appreciated cheers and thanks Ernie Jnr

[VJK]

Hi Ernie,

Sorry, but I don't have any info about your father. Coincidentally, my father also served in the 15th Pioneer Battalion. I would recommend trying either the Latvian War Museum or the Latvian State Archives, they may have something.

Kind regards,

VJK

[brandonlondon]

Hello, I have been quickly looking through this thread and not sure how active people are anymore. I am looking for help with my grandfather's military activities. His name was Edgars Raibacis. I have some paid research from the Latvian Archives and also his POW card information from Berlin. There is debate about his birthday as either Sept or Nov 25 1920. He was born Valka Distrcit in Trikata Civil Parish. He served in the Latvian Security Police Battalion from March 6 1942. He joined the Legion on Oct 1 1943 . On April 20 1944 he was raised a rank of vice corporal. His POW record says he was in the 1 Latvian Division and was registered (released by British) on 12/11/1946. He spend some time in a DP camp them went to England and then on to Canada (where I am now!) Is there a way to find out where he surrendered and which POW camp he was in? Is there a chance to find a picture? He died when I was young and he did not talk about things with family nor does he leave any information. He did not have many friends and anyone I have talked to did not know much. He had a younger brother Arvids (born Oct 5 either 1923 or 1926 (up for debate) that is presumed KIA in Feb 12 1945 as part of the 33rd Regiment. Arvids joined the Legion in Aug 16 1944. Again, any ideas on movements or battles? Thanks in advance...

[smetanin albert]

from NS31

[VJK]

I'm sorry, am I missing something, but I can't see the connection to the Latvian Legion.

Best regards,

VJK

[smetanin albert]

from SSO F.Küchenbäcker

[Georg_S]

Little info about Janis Bradzcinieks-Brasmanis

Born 7.1.1891 in Kemmern

SS-Hstuf 5.4.43
Married and had one daughter Lucija born 1918 and two sons Arturs (b.1921 also member of the Lettische SS Legion). And Karl (b.1943)
Served in the Latvijan Aarmy between 1914-1918 and 1919 to 1936 last rank Hauptmann
Joined the Sicherjeitspolizei in 1941
First assignment in Lett.Freiw.Brig. as Verwaltungsfhr. Waffengattung (joined April 5, 1943).
Truppenteil Stab d. Kdr.Div. nachschubtrp.

Best regards
Georg

Source his SS-PA / SS-PHA

[Georg_S]

Here is a photo of Kriss Brantevics of the Lettische SS legion

//Georg

[VJK]

Hi Georg,

Just to be precise: "Served in the Latvijan Aarmy between 1914-1918" - there was no Latvian Army during those dates, Latvia declared it's indepence on 18 November 1918. Jānis Bradzinieks-Brasmanis was in the Russian Army during 1914-1918.

Kind regards,

VJK

[Georg_S]

Hello

I am trying to find the fate of SS-UStuf Andrejs Apsitis, unfortuantely is he listed as Andrejs Aspits in the FHr liste der NARA and he is also listed as KIA in 1944, the truth is that he survived the war, was POW for approx. 1 year. Went to Sweden and started to work with Swedish intell. and later CIA. He was married and had two children. He was the son to Secrytary of Justice in Latvija Hermann Aspitis. Who was deported in 1941 and died in 1942.

If anyone has a photo of Andrejs Aspitis and know the deathdate of him I would appriciate it a lot. He is part of the upcoming book about SS / Waffen-SS officers Part 1 (A). If everything goes well it will be published in spring 2020.

Best regards
Georg

[Phil Don]

Hi georg
I have 2 december 1996 for his dod. I think I read it in Janis Melderis's pdf about latvian legion officers.
PhD

[PK]

In my notes I have W-Ustuf Andrejs Apsitis listed as Kp.Fhr 3./SS-Pz.Jg.Abt.19 (Vidzeme battles 1944). I have no info about him being recruited by the CIA, in fact, he was in a filtration camp at the end of the war and died in Latvia 1996. I have his memories somewhere deep in my archive.

Best wishes
PK

[Georg_S]

Hallo

Many Thanks Phil and PK.

I have downloaded 30gb of CIA files and there is pretty many files about Apsitis and the discussion if he should work for the CIA, send me an email and I send the files to you.

Best regards
Georg